Louis heckmann



(No Model.)

L. HEGKMANN.

HOOP EAR RING. I I

N0.245,297. Patented Aug. 9,1881.

\MTNEssEs E 5 029 al-W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS HEOKMANN, OF WRENTHAM, MASS, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO WILLIAM'H. WADE AND EDWARD P. DAVIS, OF SAME PLACE.

HOOP EAR-RING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,297, dated August 9, 1881.

Application filed June 13, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom itmay concern Be it known that I, LOUIS HEOKMANN, of \Vrentham, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Hoop Ear-Rings, of

which the following is a specification.

I11 the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts, Figure 1 is an elevation of a hoop ear-ring embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is an elevation of a modification. Fig. at is a plan of the same. Fig. 5 is an elevation of an ear-ring constructed in the old way.

A represents the hoop, and B the ear-wire. This ear-wire B is hinged bymeans of the vertical hinge U to one end of the hoop A, thus enabling the said ear-wire to swing horizontally instead of vertically. When the ear-ring is closed the outer end of the ear-wire B lies in a wide slot, D, out in the inner side of the hoop, made wide enough to extend to the upper and under sideof said hoop, and narrowed next the end of the hoop by forming lips D,

2 5 which prevent the ear-wire from readily slipping out. (See Figs. 1 and 2.) The end of the ear-wire B is bent, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so as to pass from the slot D to the outside of the hoop, in order that it may be easily go accessible when the ear-wire is to be swung back for opening the ear-ring.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the slot D is made narrow throughout its length, and the ear-wire is not bent at its free 5 end. The operation is the same, however, the

ear-wire swinging horizontally to open the earring.

By examining Fig. 5 it will be observed that the ear-wire b swings vertically from a horizontal hinge, c, and has its free end catch in a hole, d, made in the end of the hoop. Its end b is barbed, in order to enter the hole (I. This is the ordinary construction of hoop ear-rings.

In my improvement the ear-wire swings horizontally instead of vertically, enters a slot 4 5 in the side, bottom, or sideand top of the hoop, instead of in the end, and does not curve up, as in the old ear-ring, but follows the line of curvature of the hoop, or may be straight. The main advantages are, first, that the barb d is dispensed with, thus preventing the liability of tearing the flesh in removing the earring, and facilitating placing it in the ear; second, that the ear-ring is much more easily clasped and nnclasped, little or no springing of the ear-wire being required; third, that the hoop ends may be made nearer together, and thus present the appearance of passing through the lobe of the ear.

The slot D may be of any practicable width, and the ear-wire may be provided with the bent end D or not, as desired.

- Having thus fully described my invention, 7 what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- 6 The herein-described improved hoop earring, consisting of the hoop A, provided with a slot, D, of any practicable width, in the side or bottom of said hoop, and the horizontallyswinging ear-wire B, arranged to have its free end enter said slot sidewise in closing, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

LOUIS HEOKMANN.

Witnesses:

SUsAN E. BARDEN, MABEL W. BARDEN. 

